Stove-grate



(NoModel.) '2*Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. H. BEEBY.

STOVE GRATE.

No. 543,841. Patented Aug. 6, 1895.

"Hmmm ilullumunmmmmnunu IIIIW Minimumy 'y cmgee@ (No Model.) 2 vSheets--Sheet 2.

J.'H.BEBBY.

STOVE GRATE.

No. 543,841. APaented Aug. 6, 1895.

vynil. I

v UNTED STATES PATENT v OFFICE.

JOHN HENRY BEEBY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

STOVE-G RATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 543,841, dated August 6, 1895.

Application tiled October l5, 1894. Serial No. 525,938. (No model.)

g the following is a specification, reference belongitudinal section thereof.

ing had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to produce an improved coal-burning grate, which is especially adapted to facilitate the complete dumping of the contents of the grate or the removal of Lclinkers without dump-ing the contents. It is also designed to be readily convertible into a Wood-burning grate.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a top plan View of my grate, the parts being shown in the normal position. Fig. Il is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. I. Fig. IV is a similar view showing the middle grate at the complete limit of its movement in one direction. Fig. V is a similar view showing the grate at the complete limit ot' its movement in the opposite direction. Fig. VI is a view showing a partial movement of the middle grate, by which the removal of clinkers is facilitated without dumping the entire contents of the grate. Fig. VII is a view on the line 7 7 of Fig. I, looking toward the key-piece, and designed, also, to exhibit the side-grate limiting mechanism.

Referring to the figures on the drawings, 1 and 2 indicate the endpieces of my grateframe, that are preferably cast integrally with a reinforced back piece 3 anda front brace 4. The several parts cast in one piece constitute a complete rectangular frame that is adapted to support the movable parts of the grate without depending upon the contiguity of any other part-for example, the ordinary fire-bricks (not illustrated) to hold any of the parts of the grate proper in position.

In dumping-grates in ordinary use an objectionable feature exists that the accumulation of ashes or clinkers tends to altogether interrupt the perfect operation of the machine or to materially impede it.

One of the chief objects of my invention is to prevent the accumulation of resisting material in any part Where Vit tends to interfere with the proper operation of the mechanism. It is with this view that I provide in one of Fig. III is a the end pieces-for example, the end piece l-completely-cylindrical boxes 5 andV in the other end piece semicylindrical boxes 6. These boxes are designed to receive the trunnions 7 of the front and back grate-bars 8.

9 indicates fingers that extend from one side of each of the grate-bars, and are in practice cast integrally with it. 'Ihey have rounded contours 10 upon their lower project- Aing ends that ride smoothly upon the side ribs 11 of a center grate 12, whose trunnions 13 and 14 are supported in bearings 15 and 16, that depend from the bottom of the end pieces, and are preferably located so as to bring the center grate 12 low enough to support, by the side ribs l1, the fingers 9v in a slanting position. The ribs 16Zt of the center grate are concave or dish-shaped, and consequently the tendency of the entire grate is to precipitate its contents toward the middle of the center grate. The trunnion 14 is prolonged beyond its bearing-support, and terminates in a square end 17, designed to be actuated in the ordinary way by a crank-handle. (Not illustrated.) l A 18 indicates avkey-piece that carries lbearing-coverings 19 and 20 for the semicylindrical bearing in the end piece 2 and a medial bearing 21, that covers and restrains the trunnion 14. .The key-piece is preferably set into a recess 22 in the upper surface of the end piece 2, so that its surface may come flush with the surface of the end piece and form substantially a part thereof..

23 indicates bolts, by which the key-piece may be united to the end piece.

The extreme end fingers 24 of the front and back gratos are made wider than the ordinary ugers 9, so that they may nearly fill the spaces between them and the end pieces 1 and 2 and prevent the access and interference of ashes or clinkers. A recess 25 in each of the end fingers affords accommodation to the adjacent bearing-piece and provides a stop-ledge 26 on each side grate, which in the upward movement thereof strikes against one of the caps 19 and 2O and limits its upward movement, so as to prevent the grate from passing out of reach of the operative function of the middle grate. The same ledges 26, when the support of the side ribs 11 is withdrawn from either of the side gratos, strikes the stop-lugs 28, that project from the bottom of the end pieces and prevent the side grates from dropping lower than about an angle of fortylive degrees.

The design of this construction will be apparent from a consideration of Fig. VI of the drawings. By partially turning the trunnion 14, so that the rib l1 of the middle grate is separated some distance from the ends of the fingers 9, a space will be afforded between the fingers and the middle grate, through which, by the'aid of an ordinary poker, the clinkers can be ejected. rl`he dished shape of the mid dle grate cross-pieces prevents the dumping of the grate while in this position or the inadvertent loss of fuel, while at the same time the engagementrof the ledges 26 with the stoplugs 28 prevents the appearance of any vertical disalignment between the ends of the fingers and their rib ll.

Attention may be directed at this juncture to the fact that the side grates are operated exclusively by the oscillation of the middle grate, and that while the operation of each side grate is precisely similar, yet, in practice, the back grate would be the one whichwould generally be set in the position just described for the removal of the clinlers, that one being more easily accessible to the manipulation required.

If instead of cleaning the grate it is desired to dump the entire contents, a complete oscillation of the center grate first in one direction and then in the other will accomplish this result. A not unusual objection to dumping-grates usually is that when they arc moved in one direction it is difiicult to oscillate them in the opposite direction on account of the accumulation between the bearing parts of the contents of fire-pot. I insure facility of operation of my grate at all times by employing upon the bottom thereof a semielliptical flange or web 30, which may consist of a mere increase of the width of the central cross-bar 16% It is designed to ride against bridgepieces 31, which span the spaces between the extremities of the central adjacent lingers 9 on the side grates, and which having curved surfaces 32 to conform with the bearingfaces l0 of the fingers 9 ride easily upon the flange 30 and support the side grates in the horizontal position as long as the bottom ot' the center grate is upturned.

indicates a false bottom provided with corner notches 34, that are designed to fit around the upwardly projecting bearingpieces of the side grates and to hold the false bottom rml y in position above the coal-grate. The false bottom is designed to convert the coal-grate into a wood-grate, and may be provided with strengthening and supporting flanges 35, placed lengthwise upon its lower under surface. It is also provided with apertures 36 and transverse wood-supporting ribs 37 for insuring circulation of air to support combustion above the false bottom. When the false bottom is to be used, all that is necessary to do is to dump the coal-grate of' its entire contents, set the bottom in position, and kindle the fire. It may be well to add that the employment of an independent rectangular grate-frame affords means for avoiding the use of the fire-bricks to retain the movable parts in the frame, an arrangement frequently resorted to in dumpinggrates. rI`he objection to this is when the bricks crack while in use they are apt to be prematurely dislocated by the jar against them of the moving parts. 'Ihe back piece 3 of the grate-frame may be provided with recesses 38 for the admission of currents ot' air that tend to prevent unnecessary heating of the frame at that part and to prevent accumulation of dust above the frame.

l. The combination with a grate frame, side grates pivoted therein and bridge pieces on the side grates, of a center grate carried by the frame underneath the side grates, and a flange on the bottom of the center grate adapted to support the bridge pieces,substantially in the manner and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination with a grate frame and side grates pivoted therein and bridge pieces on the side grates, of' a center grate carried -by the frame underneath the side grates and provided upon its bottom with a lateral flange adapted to support the bridge piece of one side grate to sustain the same at a suitable distance from the center grate, and means for limiting the movement of the other side grate whereby either of the side grates may be sustained out of close proximity with the center grate, substantially as specified.

3. The combination with a grate frame having semi-cylindrical bearings provided with depending stop lugs, of caps for said bearings, side grates journaled in the bearings, recessed terminal fingers upon the side grates adapted to strike against the caps and stop lugs, to limit the movement of the side grates in either direction, substantially as specified.

4. The combination with a grate frame having bearings protruding above its surface, dumping grates therein, and a .removable ribbed and perforated false bottom provided with recesses to accommodate the protruding bearings whereby the false bottom maybe retained upon the grate without special fastening mechanism, substantially as specified.

In testimony of all which I have hereunto subscribed my name. j

JOHN HENRY BEEBY. lVitnesses:

WILLIAM ZEIDLER, THEO. M. GLAnssNER.

ICO 

